The Virginia Gazette

A Correspondent is surprised that our Sheriffs, when correcting the lesser Abuses of their Office, do not proceed to the Suppression of capital Abuses, during the Period at least of their own Administration; and, as a Ground for his Astonishment, acquaints us with the following Fact.

A Broker near the Change having his Pocket lately picked of a little Book, containing, among other Things, a Bank Note for fifty Pounds, was lucky enough (as he imagined) to seize the Thief in the Course of a few Hours, with the entire Property upon him, only that the Bank Note was converted into Sterling Cash.

The Fellow took his Trial at the Old Bailey, and was convicted; upon which the Broker, especially as the Convict confessed the Money to be what he received for the Note, expected to receive it from the Under Sheriff.

But here he was miserably disappointed; the Under Sheriff claimed it for his Principals, saying, that the Conversion of the Paper into Coin had made the Sum in Question a Part of the Criminal's Effects, and that, of Course, whatever he possessed was lawfully forfeited to the Sheriffs of London.

Thus the Broker had Nothing but the Trouble of apprehending and prosecuting the Culprit for his Pains, while the Profits of the Theft were shared by the upright Ministers of Justice.